Car accidents are topsy-turvy events. In the blink of an eye, motorists can end up curled under the dash or flipped upside down in the ditch. Car accidents are more expensive today than they ever have been. The cost of car repairs has skyrocketed, and medical care to treat even moderate injuries can run into five or six figures. A car accident can push many people to the edge of insolvency.
Call Griffin Law Firm, P.C. We can identify all of the insurance policies that cover your injury claim and negotiate a settlement to fairly compensate you for your injuries and other losses. In this blog, we look at what to do after a car accident and encourage readers to contact us to speak with a Warner Robins car accident lawyer. We have won car accident cases that other firms have turned down, and we are eager to offer our services to you.
1. Ensure Safety
Although there is important evidence at the scene, safety comes first. Ask anyone if they need an ambulance, and call 911 using your phone if they do.
2. Report the Accident to the Police
Georgia Code § 40-6-273 requires that motorists call the police “immediately” to report any accident causing injury, death, or at least $500 in damage. That is practically every accident. Call the police for the municipality where it occurred so you can fulfill your obligation under the law.
Also, an officer can help with the evidence collection. Suppose you think the other driver is intoxicated or maybe high. The responding officer can investigate and request a breath or urine test.
An officer will also create a traffic accident report, which is of great help in an injury claim. You should volunteer to call and report your location.
3. Swap Information with the Other Driver
You need basic information to help with an injury claim. Be sure to share the following:
- Name and contact information
- Car registration
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company details
If you are in a multi-vehicle accident, attempt to get information from all drivers.
4. Photograph the Vehicles and Debris Field
Pictures really are worth a thousand words. Take pictures of the vehicles before you move them to the side of the road. That will show how they came together, which is important information when determining fault in an auto accident in Georgia.
Also, get pictures of every side of the cars and zoom in to show dents and scrapes. You can also take a picture of the license plate on every vehicle instead of writing it down. Remember not to take a picture of anyone else without permission.
5. Document the Rest of the Scene
You should also:
- Take pictures of road hazards, including missing stop signs, obscured signs, or potholes.
- Note anything unusual about the way the other driver is acting, such as slurring words or smelling alcohol.
- Write down your memories of the accident when you get a chance.
6. Speak to Witnesses
You can ask them for their name and either phone number or email. An eyewitness can be a critical part of any Georgia car accident claim.
7. Avoid Admitting Fault
Although you can be polite and express concern for the injured victim, you should not admit to fault for the accident. Instead, spend your time documenting the scene and talking with witnesses. Any admission you make could come up later to undermine your ability to receive compensation. Even comments that seem fine may give the insurance company an argument that reduces the value of your claim. For example, a comment that I’m fine might be used to argue that you’re not hurt. Another example, if you say I’m sorry this happened, the insurance company may argue that you are admitting fault for the accident.
8. Share Information with the Responding Officer
An officer usually talks to each driver and then spends some time filling out an accident report. Do not be rude and wait until the officer is finished before leaving. Direct their attention to something if you think it’s important. For example, a giant pothole might have caused the other driver to lose control. You can point out the pothole to the officer.
9. Go to the Emergency Room for Treatment
Once you are done at the accident scene, head to the emergency room. Inform the doctor that you were in an accident and tell them where you feel pain. Over the coming days, some injuries might slowly develop, such as a concussion. That is okay. You can head back to the hospital, your primary care doctor, a neurologist, or a neuropsychologist, if you feel your condition worsening.
Use your health insurance when you go to the hospital. Eventually, you can receive compensation for medical care in a settlement, but that will take months. Any medical treatment that is paid by your health insurance will usually result in your receiving more money from your settlement.
You should also follow your doctor’s care plan. If you stop treatment early, then the defendant can argue you deserve less compensation.
10. Tell Your Insurer About the Accident
You should report the accident to them within 24 hours. Your insurer will open a claim. Share with them details about the other driver, including their insurer. Many auto insurance policies in Georgia require timely notice of potential uninsured motorist or under-insured motorist claims, or you may lose your coverage for your injury claim.
When opening a claim, you should share basic information, such as the location and time of the accident. But you don’t need to go into detail, and you should avoid giving any type of recorded statement. Keep the conversation brief and stick to the facts.
What to Do After a Georgia Car Accident When You Are Too Injured
The steps above assume you can move around after a crash. But some motorists are knocked unconscious or are in so much pain they literally cannot even pick up their phone. What do you do in that case?
The good news is that your attorney can try to find useful evidence even days or weeks after the accident. For example, the crash report should identify the names of witnesses. Your lawyer can reach out to find these people and ask them what they saw.
If you were involved in an accident in town, then your lawyer might look for any surveillance video.
Many businesses (like gas stations) have cameras pointed toward the road, which could have recorded the collision. This evidence could be important.
Your attorney might also ask to inspect the other vehicles involved, at least if they have not already been fixed. For these reasons, call an experienced lawyer quickly to begin gathering evidence.
Reach Out to a Warner Robins Car Accident Lawyer
This is an important step for anyone who suffered bodily injuries in a car wreck. Griffin Law Firm, P.C., has helped many people hurt in Georgia car accidents. We can find evidence of your Georgia car accident and negotiate with the at-fault driver for a meaningful settlement. Consultations with our office are free and confidential. Contact us today!